Genesis and the Council of fashion designers of america announce AAPI Design Grant

Comunicato Stampa disponibile solo in lingua originale. 

 Genesis and the Council of #fashion Designers of America (CFDA) today announce the CFDA | #genesis House AAPI #design + Innovation Grant, a new mentorship program dedicated to supporting innovation in #design within the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. The initiative provides three rising #fashion designers with invaluable education and mentorship from notable industry leaders, along with funding from #genesis, as they are challenged to create a collection highlighting the tension between their Asian heritage and modernity.

As part of the program, #genesis and the CFDA are tapping global #fashion and business leaders to serve as #design mentors throughout the duration of the challenge, working closely with participants to provide expertise and counsel as they curate their collections. In addition to three lead mentors, #genesis and CFDA are creating an advisory board of #fashion industry and CFDA members to select the designers and judge the final collections in September. Mentors and advisory board members include:

• Alina Cho (Journalist)
• Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim (Founders, Monse)
• Grace Cha (Innovation Consultant)
• Jodie Turner-Smith (Actress)
• Prabal Gurung (Designer)
• Rachel Espersen (Executive Director, #genesis Brand Experience, #genesis House & Studio)
• Sandra Park (Vice President Merchandise Manager - Menswear, Saks)
• Stephanie Horton (Senior Director Global Marketing, Google)
• Steven Kolb (CEO, CFDA)

Each designer is also receiving a $40,000 grant on behalf of #genesis to finance their #design innovations throughout the five-month challenge, which will include an immersion trip to Seoul, South Korea to study the country's heritage and meet with the #fashion team at the Onjium research institute. The challenge will culminate in a public showcase at #genesis House in New York City in February 2024, where the custom garments will remain on display and the winning designer will be awarded an additional $60,000 to develop their collection, bringing the total grant award to $100,000.

"We're honored to partner with the CFDA to champion the incredible innovation in #design and #fashion that's occurring within the AAPI community," said #rachelespersen, executive director of brand experience, #genesis House and Studios, at #genesis Motor America. "Grounded in our three tenants of #design, Hospitality, and Technology, we look forward to witnessing the creativity of our honored guests in action and welcoming the brightest minds in the #fashion industry to #genesis House."

"AAPI talents play a significant role in contributing to and shaping American #fashion," added #stevenkolb, CEO of the CFDA. "We are excited to partner with #genesis to develop the new grant program to help herald a future generation of AAPI designers making their mark on our industry through creativity and innovation."

Submissions will open later this summer for designers to apply to participate in the CFDA | #genesis House AAPI #design + Innovation Grant.

Genesis House is a sophisticated oasis located in the heart of New York City's Meatpacking District, offering experiences influenced by Korean culture and community, culinary #excellence, and innovative architecture and technology. Consisting of the Showroom, Restaurant, and Cellar Stage, the lifestyle space evokes audacious #design, progressive function and a distinctly Korean atmosphere that showcases the #genesis brand in harmony and balance with its surroundings.